Who is Sir Julius Chan?

Sir Julius Chan (New Ireland, People’s Progress Party) is one of the founding father’s of independence and a former prime minister (1980-82 and 1994-97). Sir Julius was knighted in 1981 and became a privy councillor in 1982. In 1997, the Chan government's multi-million-dollar contract with Sandline International, a mercenary organization, to counter guerrilla warfare on Bougainville caused immense public protests and a 10-day mutiny by the army. Chan was defeated in the election of June 1997 and succeeded as prime minister by Bill Skate. He has continued to play a prominent role in PNG politics.